Which of the following plant hormones can cause the base of a shoot to form new root, prevents fruit and leaf drop at early stage, to be used as herbicide / weedicide, also controls xylem differentiation and helps in cell division -

Options

A. GA
B. Cytokinin
C. Auxin
D. ABA

Answer

To solve the question regarding which plant hormone exhibits the following characteristics: causing the base of a shoot to form new roots, preventing fruit and leaf drop at an early stage, being used as a herbicide or weedicide, controlling xylem differentiation, and aiding in cell division, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Characteristics**:
- The hormone must promote root formation at the base of a shoot.
- It should prevent early fruit and leaf drop.
- It must have herbicidal properties.
- It should control xylem differentiation.
- It should assist in cell division.

2. **Review the Options**:
- Option 1: Gibberellic Acid (GA)
- Option 2: Cytokinin
- Option 3: Auxin
- Option 4: Abscisic Acid (ABA)

3. **Analyze Each Hormone**:
- **Gibberellic Acid (GA)**: Primarily promotes stem elongation and seed germination but does not prevent leaf or fruit drop.
- **Cytokinin**: Involved in cell division and growth but does not specifically prevent leaf drop or act as a herbicide.
- **Auxin**: Known for promoting root formation, preventing senescence (leaf and fruit drop), and has herbicidal properties. It also plays a role in xylem differentiation and cell division.
- **Abscisic Acid (ABA)**: Primarily involved in stress responses and promoting leaf drop, not in promoting growth or root formation.

4. **Select the Correct Answer**:
- Based on the analysis, Auxin (Option 3) is the hormone that fulfills all the criteria mentioned in the question.

### Final Answer:
The plant hormone that can cause the base of a shoot to form new roots, prevents fruit and leaf drop at an early stage, is used as a herbicide, controls xylem differentiation, and helps in cell division is **Auxin** (Option 3).

---